California Tow Truck Driver Spreads Christmas Spirit in Town Parade

One lone tow truck driver in Indio, Calif., started a parade tradition that has grown into a town favorite.

Anthony Polston loved the Christmas parades of his youth so much that in 2006 he decided to put one on for his neighbors, according to a news report. He hooked a flatbed trailer up to a tow truck and drove through Indio’s neighborhoods passing out toys. He spent about $500 that first year, giving out stuffed animals and action figures to children, the report states.

Within four years, Polston’s parade has grown to be called “Santa’s Hayride and Neighborhood Parade.” This past Saturday, Dec. 19, Polston, 34, was joined by 10 businesses, Indio police officers and members of California Highway Patrol, as he handed out hundreds of toys on his parade route.

Every other block, the 12 vehicles in this year’s parade would stop and kids would come out to get a gift, the report states. The route was chosen based on the needs of the neighborhoods. This year the parade stopped in front of the Desert Springs Health and Wellness Center so that volunteers could hand out nearly 50 quilts to the residents, according to the report.

I-10 Collision Center, one of many businesses that support the parade, has paid for the parade’s insurance and permit costs for the last four years, and bought this year’s quilts.